Emergency signaling device



Sept.r 13, 1949. M. DwYER 2,481,987

EMERGENCY SIGNALING DEVICE Filed Nov. 29. 1944 s sheets-sheet 1 INVENTORJua MZ TTORN EY Sept. 13, 1949. M. DWYER@ 2,481,987

EMERGENCY SIGNALING DEVICE Filed Nov, 29, 1944 s sheets-sheet 2 INVENTORBY` f ATTORNEYS` Sept. 13, 1949. M. DWYER 2,481,987

l EMERGENCY SIGNALING DEVICE v Filed Nov. 29, 1944 l `s sheets-sheet 3IIENTOR .Aby/l,

ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 13, 194

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v 2,481,987 l t EMERGENCY sIGNALING DEVICEMartin Dwyer, Hewlett Harbor, N. Y. Application November 29, 1944,Serial No; 565,672 4 claims. (o1. 1oz-347.8)

This invention relates to signalling devices and more particularly tosmoke r pyrotechnic signal devices adapted to be carried in emergencylife rafts, boats or the like and is a continuation in part of myco-pending application Serial No. 487,261, filed May 17, 1943, nowPatent No. 2,448,521.

Increasing air transport over large bodies of water has made itextremely important that all crews operating such transport have intheir emergency life rafts day and night-time signalling devices capableoi expelling large volumes of colored smoke or light-emittingcomposition. The same situation exists with respect to ships andlifeboats.

One of the principal requirements of such devices or signals is thatthey remain absolutely watertight and moistureproof until they are used,irrespective of the weather conditions and other environment to whichthey are exposed prior to such use, because the ignitible contents ofthe devices must be dry or else they cannot be used effectively, if atall.

One of the principal features of the invention relates to novelcontainer constructions for such devices that are of extremely ruggedconstruction, that are absolutely water and moistureproof, Y

i. e., hermetically sealed, and that are capable of keeping theignitible contents dry even under the severest conditions so that thedevicesV may be used whenever required in an emergency.

Another object of the invention is to produce devices of this characterthat will be comparatively simple in construction, cheap and easy toassemble.

Another object of the invention is to provide devices of the characterdescribed that will be self-contained, each includingeverythingnecessary for its operation in an emergency and which may beput into use without requiring any tools.

' In the past,Y it has been common practice to design a smoke orpyrotechnic signal to t on a detachable handle, and to include such ahandle in a kit including several signals so that the signals could beaffixed individually to the handle and held thereby a safe distance awayfrom the users hand while being fired, ignited or burned. This made itessential to include an extra piece of equipment, namely, a handle witheach kit, and had the great disadvantage that, if the individual handlewere lost overboard or elsewhere, it would become impossible to fire,ignite or burn the signals of the kit. In other words, the dependency ofthese kits upon a detachable handle was one of their principalweaknesses.

Y v Y 2 Another principal object of the present invention is to providesignalling devices that may be safely fired, ignited, burned orotherwise used and which are independent entirely of each other and ofany requirement for a detachable handle.

Another principal object is to provide devices which may be safely heldin hand by the user during use without requiring any handle Whatsoever.v

Another object is the provision on signalling devices, each of which isa completely independent entity, so that the loss of one or more willhave no effect whatsoever on the ability to use those remaining.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as mayhereafter appear, this invention consists in the` novel construction andarrangement of parts hereinafter to be described and then sought to bedeiined in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawing forming a part hereof and which shows, merely for theV purposesof illustrative disclosure, preferred embodiments of the invention, itbeing expressly understood, however, that various 'I changes may be madein practice within the scope of the appended claims without digressingfrom the inventive idea.

In a drawing, in which similar reference characters denote correspondingparts,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view partially in section of one form of mydevice;

Fig. 2 is asimilar, view of a modiiied form of the device the sectionbeing taken along lines 2-2 of Fig.` 3,

*i Fig. 3 is a top plan View of the device of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view thereof, and Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic Viewof the device of Fig. 2 embodying other features of the invention.

Referring to the drawing and first to Fig. 1, i0 denotes an externalcasing or container of metal or other suitable material. In theembodiment shown,V this casing is of cylindrical form but it may be ofany desired form. Its walls may be smooth as shown or have theconfiguration of my aforementioned application. A member or spacer Il ofsubstantially cup-like form and preferably of metal is admeasured to fitwithin the upper end of the container l0. The bottom portion lla of thismember has reduced diameter and is provided with a central opening I2 topermit rapid escape of products of combustion from the device as will bepresently described. This member or spacer H forms a positioning guidefor other parts of the device as will be presently described.

A cover member I4 preferably of metal is provided for the member II.This cover member is admeasured to t within the upper portion IIb ofsaid member II resting on the shoulder I Ic of the member I I so thatthe wall of portion I Ib lies between the side walls I4a of the memberI4 and the rim portion of container I0. The upper edges of the member I4and of the container I9 are beaded over together very securely toprovide Aan `annular sealing bead or rib I5. This bead is very secureand -is -made moisture and leak proof in any well known manner, as bythe use of solder or the like.

The cover member I4 has a comparativelfylarge opening I6 defined by anupstanding shoulder Ia that is normally sealed by a removable tear stripor member Il also preferably oimetal .which is secured over said openingin well-known manner as by soldering or the like. This tear strip II,while removable, electively and completely seals `the opening .I6againstmoisture, lWaterfand gas until it is removed. A ring IS-or otherequivalent means is attached `to the tear .strip Il to facilitateremoval of thelatter'by the userzwithout tools. It is merely necessaryfor the user to grasp the ring I8 and -pull oi .the tear strip rIl toexpose the opening 1It.

The entire1inner Wall-o the v.container or `casing Ill may be coatedwith an insulating lining V-of lacquer or the like that may be appliedeither by spraying, dipping or :in any other suitable manner. Thislining preferably .hasheat insulating properties.

An inner container I9 of metal 1Vorothervsuit'- able material forholding the burning compound C to be presently described is provided.This container I9 has smaller diameter than that of the external casingI so that a substantial air space may be provided between 7the walls orthe two containers I0 and I9. The Wall of container I is completelymperiorate as -isthat of container Il? so that the'air in space 20serves as an eii'ective heat insulator. Thus the container I may besafely-and comfortably held without danger by the user while thecompoundCiincontainer I9 is burning.

A cover 22 preferably of metal is provided for the upper end of thecontainer I9. This cover has a central opening 23 and aplurality of'additional openings 24 arranged about the opening 23 to provide for theescape of' the smoke and gases of combustion of the compound `C withinthe container I9 upwardly through said coi/e1. The cover 22 is ttedreentrantly within the top of container I9 and its edge beaded over.with the upper edge lof said containerat 25. The-reduced portion IIa ofthe cup-like member ylor spacer II is admeasured to t withinthiscover 22and thereby serves to center the upper vend of inner container I9 Withrespect .to outer `container ID.

The inner container I 9 is provided with an insulating lining similartothatof .container or casing I9 and is iilled with the suitable -smokecompound C which is capable of producing large volumes of smoke whenVburned that will be visiblev as a cloud even in afhigh wind. Theconstituentsv of this smoke compound include a vdyeior :coloring thesmoke as desired, .av burning agent to produce the smoke andfuel sovthat a sustained volume .of smoke willbe produced when -the compound isignited. Any of the commercially known satisfactory.smokefproducingfcompounds may be utilized.

The smoke compound may, for example, corisist of a mixture of z Per centDye 69.2 Sucrose 14.2 Potassium chlorate 16.2 Halowax oil #1000 0.4

The sucrose may be a good commercial grade of confectioners XXXXsugar,the polarization of which is not less than.99.9% sucrose. It shall be ofsuch lneness that shall pass a 100 .mesh sieve and not more than 20%shall be retained on a 200 mesh sieve.

The'potassium chlorate used in the device is preferably at least 99%pure with not more than .5% moisture. It should pass 100% through a 100mesh screen.

YA dyedsH. V. Orange B which is a naphthaleneazodimethylaniline,paranitrobenzene azo B naphthol coupling.

YThe Halowax oil #1000 is a commercial product sold under the nameandnumber given. 'Halowax oil #.1'000 is described in Handbook .of'Material Trade Names-Zimmerman'z Levine-Industrial Research Service,1946, as Awater-Whitehydrocarbon liquid. Boiling range 18o-'540 F.; sp.gr., 1.19-125.; flash point, 203 F.; firepoint', 338YF.; readily solublein commonhydrocarbon solvents. The materials in the above proportionsare intimately mixed in a suitabletumbling machine for the blending ,ofthe smoke Iproducing chemicals untilY a smooth even texture of compoundis obtained. Deviation 'from the formula because of Variation inchemicals especially dyes may be necessary to obtain the desiredresultas to color of smoke and burning time.

A fuse 21 extends through the compc'und C and terminates in apull wirelighter 28 that will serve to light .the fuse 21. This .igniter 28 has astriking member 29'which in turn has a pullcord or wire 30 .attachedthereto which extends through the tear strip I1, a bent-overportion'3lla thereof being soldered .at 3| to said tear .strip .in sucha way as Ito seal .the opening in `the tear strip I' through which thebent-over portion has been Ypassed in .the assembling of the device.Since.porti0n.,3.0a of wire 30 .is attached directly to the tear. stripvITI removal of -the tear strip I'I will .automatically cause thestriker -2-9-'to re the igniter 28. The lower-end of the fuse 2.7 issecured against withdrawal by the cross pin .32 around. which :the fuseis` looped. This pin is preferably of combustible `materialY such iaszinc or the like.

Spaced apart Washers 3.3V of paper or-other desirable material lie atthe bottom .of the -comp ound C and serve tof-.retain .it in containerI9 and to protect the fuse 21.. vA similar washer 34 of paper or -lthelike having.,perforation-.34a and 34h corresponding `to the.perforatin'g 23 and 324 in the -top `22 of -the 4inner mmtainerxand`.underlying the latter is provided.

Abottom-or |end -wall [9b 'preferably .of .metal is provided for the:container I 9, v:being reentrantat I9c and attached at I9d tosaid-container -a'sby beading or the like Ito insure :a leak prooi-seal.

A lcup-shaped vmember or spacer 35 Ysimilar to the'member -I I isadmeasured to t Within the lower end of outer container 4.0. This spacerisr of the same material as spacer I-I. The upper portion V35dof'thislmember has=reduced diam-'- eterand isadmeasured .to t'within thereentrantportion lsgcotthe bottom If9bffof =the inner foontainer I 9.ltfseryes as-a positioningl'fguide for amigas? the lower eiid ofcontainer I9 so that the latters lower end is centered with respect tothe outer container I0.

. The bottom member 36 of the outer container Ill completely closes thelower end of the latter and is secured to the container I together withthe cup-like member 35 as by beading over the rim 36a with the loweredge Illb of said container I0 to form a water-tight and moisture-proofhermetic sealing bead 31. Solder or other similar material may be usedabout the bead 31 to obtain a very strong water-tight, moisture-proofseal. The bottom member 36 preferably is of the same material ascontainer I0.

The entire construction described is very conveniently and simplyassembled. The component parts or ingredients of the inner container I9are loaded therein from the bottom end thereof. Then the bottom end isclosed off by the bottom I9b. The pull wire 3D then protrudes from theupper cover 22 of container I9, being held in place by a suitable disc Dof adhesive material such as Scotch cellulose tape or the like. Theinner assembly is inserted into the outer container Ill through its topand so that the bottom I9b is centered on the lower spacer or cup member35. The bottom 36 of the outer container I0 has been previously attachedto the latter. Then the cup member II, assembled cover Ill and tearstrip I1 are placed over the top end of outer container I0. The portion39a of pull wire 3o projects through the opening O in the tear strip I1.The cup member or spacer II serves to center the upper end of the innercontainer I9. The bead I5 is formed, and the bent-over portion 30a ofthe pull Wire soldered at 3| to the tear strip I1 closing opening O.This completely seals the contents of the inner container fromatmosphere and in leak proof manner. In use, the tear strip I1 is pulledofi by grasping the ring I8. As the tear strip is pulled olf the pullwire 30 is pulled with it so that the striker 29 automatically fires theigniter 28 and starts burning of the fuse 21 and combustion of the smokeproducing compound C. The voluminous smoke produced by the burning smokecompound C then escapes to atmosphere through the perforations 24 ininner lid 22 and the opening I6 in the outer cover I4 of container I0left by removal of the tear strip I1.

It will be noted that air spaces 38 are provided between the bottom 36and the bottom I9b of the inner container and between the washers 33.This provides heat insulation at the bottom of the unit.

The heat insulation provided by the air spaces 20 and 38 and theimperforate walls of containers I9 and I0 provide safe heat insulationand make it possible to hold the device comfortably during use.

The modied form of device of Fig. 2 has substantially similarconstruction with a few differences in detail to be presently described.

In this construction the outer cover I4 of the outer container I0differs from that of cover I4 of Fig. 1 in that the shoulder Ia adjacentopening I6 extends downwardly rather than upwardly. The tear strip I1 issecured to the downwardly extending shoulder Ia in the same manner astear strip I1 is attached to shoulder I6a of Fig. 1. The pull cord orwire 30' of the pull wire lighter or igniter 28' is attached to adependent member 39 carried by the tear strip I1', The various otherparts having identical but primed reference characters as those of Fig.l denote corresponding identical parts.

The air spaces 20', 38' function in identically the same manner as theair spaces 20 and 38 of the device of Fig. 1 to provide adequate heatinsulation so that the device may be safely held in hand duringcombustion of the compound C' which is red when the tear strip I1' isremoved.

It is important to note that the walls of the containers I9 and I0 areimperforate in the same way as that of containers I9 and I0 and forthesame purpose namely to augment the heat insulation provided by the airspaces so that the device may be safely held in hand during combustion.The imperforate nature of the walls of the outer containers I0 or I0also is important for elective protection of their contents.

An auxiliary handle construction may be provided in order that eitherthe container IB or I0' may be held further away from the user duringburning of the smoke compound C or C' or any other type of compound, forexample a pyrotechnic compound producing brilliant light that may besubstituted for the smoke compounds C or C. In the drawings it is shownas applied to container I0. It should be understood that it may -beapplied in the same way to container Ill. Referring to Figs. 2-4inclusive, a member 40 may be secured to the bottom 36 as by spotwelding or in any other suitable way. Eyelets or hinges 49a are providedon the member 4D at suitably spaced-apart points. Rods or handle members2| of bendable metal such as iron wire or any other suitable materialare pivotally secured to the hinges or eyelets 40a. These rods 4I arebent at 42 around the bead 31' so that in position of non-use theyextend substantially parallel with and lie against the side wall orwalls of the container I9. The rods or members 4I may be extended andbent over at 4Ia to hook over the upper annular bead !5 of containerI9', and will thus be retained to their non-use position until releasedby the user. A frangible annular band (not shown) of cellophane tape,Scotch cellulose tape, or any other suitable binding tape could serve,as an alternative or an adjunct, to secure the rods against thecontainer IIB' in their non-use position. When the device is to be used,the band or tape if used is destroyed. The rod members 4I then can berotated about eyelets 40a to extend below the bottom 36' and serve as aconvenient handle for the container that may be grasped -by the user.One or more of such rods 4I can be used. The rods 4I may be applied inidentical manner to container I0 of Fig. 1 for the same purposes.

In addition to the features described, either the device of Fig. 1 orFig. 2 may be equipped with anchoring means. AS shown in Fig. 5, asuitable cord or chain 44 is secured to the bottom 35 of container III'.A safety pin 46 or other similar fastening element is secured to thecord so that the signal device may be securely fastened either to a partin a life raft or to part of the users clothing to prevent loss in thewater or elsewhere. This same anchoring means may be provided for thecontainer I0 of Fig. 1 in the same way.

To use the device if it is equipped with the handle members or rods 4I,the hooked-over portions 4-Ia. are released from the bead I5' or I5 andthe rods are rotated to open position. Thereafter, the ring I8' or I3 isgrasped and the tear or pull strip I1 or I1 is removed. This agencerfighi-tes the igniter 28" or Zat and lights the fuse 21 or 2l. The.burning of fuse 21'" or 21 ignites the compound C* or C, and suchignition produces voluminousA smoke which then escapes to atmospherethrough the openings, left in the tops llt" or mbv removal of tearVstrips t1 or I'i..

The outer surfaces ofv containers l or i!!! .and other' exposed partsare preferably coated with a protective coating after the device hasbeen completely assembled. Such coating for example may lbe a corrosionpreventative coatingr.A Otherprotective coatings also may be used.

The pull wire igniters 28. or 21Bn in the embodiment. shown are of atype that ignite when the null wires` 3.0 or 30 are pulled out. Thefuses 2T; or- ZL" which are inserted into the bodies of these ignitersas shown in the drawings are red bythe igniters. The igniters 28, 28'can be of other types.

'I he construction of the inner containers I9 or i8' may be applied toany of the modifications 0f my aforementioned co-pending application.Other modifications in construction are possible too without departingfrom the spirit of the inrvention and are contemplated. There is nointention of limitation to the exact details shown and described.

What is claimed is:

1 In a device of the character described, an outer container, innercontainer for com bustible signalling compound., said inner containerhaving imperforate sides and one imperforate reentrant end and oneperforated reentrant end, an apertured cup-like member adjacent one endof said outer container, said member having a portion adapted to fitinto the said perforated reentrant end of said inner container andcenter the latter, said perforated reentrant end of said inner containerserving to permit free and voluminous escape therethrough of products ofcombustion developed by said combustible compound upon its being burnedwithin said` inner container,l a covering member Closing said one end ofsaid outer container, means, providing a hermetic seal between saidcovering member and said outer container, said covering member having anopening, a removable member normally hermetically closing saidlast-named opening, means secured to said outer container and extendinginto said imperforate reentrant end of said inner container forcentering this latter end of said inner container, a second coveringmember closing the opposite end of said outer container and meansforming a hermetic seal between said sconed covering member and saidouter container whereby the contents of said outer container arehermetically sealed therein.

2. In a device of the character described, an outer container, an innercontainer for combustible signalling compound, said inner containerhaving imperforate sides and one imperforate reentrant end and oneperforated reentrant end, a cup-like member secured to one end of saidouter container and extending inwardly thereof, said member having areduced portion adapted to lit Ainto the perforated reentrant end ofsaid inner container and center the latter, said reduced portion havingan opening, and Said perforated reentrant end and said opening servingto permit free and voluminous escape therethroughV and through saidopening in said reduced portion of products of combustion developed bysaid combustible compound upon its being burned within said innercontainer, a covering member "8 closing said. one endl off saidoutercontainer, means providing a hermetic. seal between said coveringmember, said outer container and said cupi-.like member, said coveringmemberr having an. opening, a removable member normally her- .meticallyClosing said lastenamed opening, means .whereby the. @Qi-items. of SaidOuter @entamer are hermeiically Sealed therein. and said. Que-libememberarid said. means. extending inte the .reentrant mnerforete en@ QiSaid, inner Container serving to maintain Said. two containers spacedapart t0 provide an air Space therebetween fer eirectively' neat in.siuatine the outer terminer ,from the inner container and its burningContents when the device. is in use.

`3.1 I n a device of the character described, an outer container., aninner container for combusti.- ble signalling compound, a cup-litremember ad.- jacent one end of said outer container, said member having aportion adapted, i0 t .into an find 'of said., inner container andcenter the latter, said 'inner container being provided with openings atone end to permit ifree and voluminous escape therethrough of' smokedeveloped by said smoke Vproducing compoundv upon its being burned'within said inner container, land said inner container beiijigiinperforate in its sides and at its other end, a covering memberclosing said rst-named end of said' outer container', means providing ahermetio seal between said coveringr member, said container and saidcup-like member, said covering member havingv an openingy a removablemember ncrmallyhermetically closing said lastnamed opening, a secondcup-like member adjacent the opposite end of said outer container havingla portion adapted to fit into the other end of said inner container tocenter the latter, a second covering member closing the opposite end ofsaid outer container and means forming a hermetic seal. between saidsecond covering member and said outer container whereby the contents ofsaid outer container are hermetically sealed therein.

4. In a device of the character described, an outer container, an innercontainer for combusti.- ble. signalling compound, said inner containerhaving. imperforate sides, an imperforate cover .SBCuied toon@ end ofsaidinner container with an hermetic Seal, Seid @over having a reentrantnortion, a cup-like member secured to said outer ,conasi-jacent one. endthereof and having a nortion admeasured to fit into said reentrantportion of .said imperforete @over to @enter the leiter, a perforatedcover secured to the other. end of said inner container, said perforatedcover having a reentrant portion, a second .cup-like member seured tosaid outer container adjacent its opposite end and having a portionprovided with an open- `ing, said last-named portion being admeasured tofit intothe reentrant portion of said perforated cover tov centerthelatter, a covering member for said .first-named end 0f 4Said outercontainer, providing an hermetic Seal between said covering member andsaid first-named end of said outer container, a covering member for thesaid opposite end of said outer container, and means providing anhermetic s eal between said secondnamed covering member and saidopposite end of lsaid outer container, whereby the contents of saidouter container are hermeticallyy sealed therein,

and said inner container being of smaller dimensions than said outercontainer and being maintained in spaced relationship from the end andside Walls of said outer container by the engagement of said reentrantportions of said twocuplike members in the respective reentrant portionsof said two end covers of Said inner container, and being thereby heatinsulated from said outer container so that said outer container may beheld in hand during combustion of said com-v pound, and removable meanssecured over an opening in said second-named covering member of saidouter container for exposing the contents of said outer container foruse.

MARTIN DWYER. 1

10 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

